Patriotism
Patriotism is love of or devotion to one’s country, expressed through attachment to its people, culture, institutions, or independence.
National identity: A person’s sense of belonging to a nation and identification with its shared history, culture, or political community. Patriotism turns national belonging into an attachment and often a sense of duty.
Cosmopolitanism: The view that people belong to a wider human community whose moral obligations cross national borders. It challenges the priority patriotism gives to obligations toward one’s own country.
Patria: A Latin term for one’s fatherland or native country, derived from the word for father. The term’s linguistic ancestor links attachment to country with the idea of a homeland.
Civic duty: A citizen’s responsibility to contribute to the functioning and well-being of a political community. Patriotic commitment is often expressed through voting, public service, or other civic responsibilities.
Social cohesion: The strength of relationships, trust, and shared belonging among members of a society. Shared attachment to country can provide common ground across social differences.
Nationalism: A political idea that treats the nation as a primary source of identity and often demands political self-determination. It can overlap with patriotism but more explicitly makes national sovereignty a political claim.
Chauvinism: Excessive or aggressive belief in the superiority of one’s own group or nation. It marks a form of national attachment that elevates one’s country above others.
American Revolution: The political and military struggle from 1765 to 1783 that established the independence of the United States. The revolution made resistance to imperial rule a powerful model of patriotic action.
Military service: Service in a country’s armed forces, whether through voluntary enlistment, conscription, or other forms of duty. Patriotism is frequently invoked to explain military service and sacrifice.
Political legitimacy: The recognized right of a government or political system to exercise authority. Patriotic allegiance can strengthen institutions, but it may also be mistaken for approval of rulers.